Australia

PEPs & Sanctions

US and Australia Warn Firms on North Korean IT Worker Threat

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 10/04/2026

Regulators are urging firms to bolster hiring and cyber defences against sophisticated infiltration tactics used to fund Pyongyang's weapons programs.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

ACCC Warns Australian Banks on Mortgage Due Diligence

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 09/04/2026

The competition regulator is urging lenders to improve loan checks using open banking, as the industry lobbies for access to tax data to combat fraud.

Structural Regulation

ASIC Publishes Finalised Guidance for OTC Derivatives Reporting Regime

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 09/04/2026

ASIC has issued its updated regulatory guide, aligning local rules with global standards for data, identifiers, and removing the 'safe harbour' for delegated reporting.

Supervision & Enforcement

ASIC Seeks Court Intervention in Proposed Interprac Sale

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 09/04/2026

ASIC has launched legal action to investigate the AUD 50,000 sale of a financial adviser facing hundreds of client complaints and significant liabilities.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

ASIC Ramps Up Action Against AI-Powered Investment Scams

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 09/04/2026

ASIC has removed a record number of scam websites, warning that artificial intelligence is making fraudulent investment schemes more convincing and harder to spot.

Operational Risk

APRA Imposes AUD 2 Million Capital Add-on on Sovereign Insurance

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 08/04/2026

The capital charge was imposed to address serious deficiencies in its risk management, operational risk, and regulatory reporting frameworks.

Reporting & Disclosures

ASIC, AASB to Provide Firms Additional Support on Climate Reporting

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 08/04/2026

Australian regulators will hold free, in-person workshops to help smaller and mid-size companies prepare for mandatory sustainability disclosure requirements commencing from July 2026.

Cryptocurrency

ASIC Bans Crypto Fund Director for Maximum Five-Year Period

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 04/04/2026

ASIC has disqualified the director of three failed cryptocurrency firms for serious misconduct, including operating without a financial services licence.

Anti-Money Laundering

AUSTRAC Orders AML/CTF Audit of Payments Firm mHITs

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/04/2026

AUSTRAC has ordered an external audit of mHITs Limited amid concerns its transaction monitoring is failing to manage serious risks, including child exploitation financing.